Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that brings with it a host of lung and digestive issues. Research and awareness of CF has led to HUGE gains in terms of life expectancy: In the 1960s, life expectancy for someone with CF was only 4 years. In 2000, it was 32 years. Now, it's up to 37.4 years and increasing.
This disease became a part of my life when my perfect, adorable nephew was born last October with CF. I want to be a part of the solution for him and it's clear that we can make a real difference even in our lifetime. Here he is, one of the many faces of CF:
I realize that if you're hearing about Out Run CF for the first time today, you haven't registered online, you don't have a t-shirt, and you don't have sponsors. Who cares? Just run... Run because you can. Run because someone you love has CF. Run because we have come so far in treatment for CF. Run because we have so far still to go.
And while you run, pray for a cure, pray for the researchers, pray for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and most importantly, pray for your loved ones or your friends' loved ones with CF.
If you can't run today (or you can't run at all), register for your local Great Strides walk or check out the Get Involved section of the CFF website to see what you can do.
